PARAMEDICS are treating "multiple casualties" at a leisure centre popular with young families this afternoon after BLEACH leaked into the swimming pool area.

Firefighters evacuated the East Sands Leisure Centre, in St Andrews, after the huge chemical leak was detected at around 1pm.

A fleet of 13 fire engines and 55 firefighters descened on the swimming pool following the leak, with 19 people being rushed to a nearby hospital with symptoms including breathing problems.

Crews sealed off the area and set up a tunnel at the entrance to the centre to stop the fumes from escaping the complex and firefighters were seen coming and going in chemical suits.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said paramedics were dealing with "multiple casualties" who had all inhaled the chemical compound sodium hypochlorite, which is usually dissolved in water and used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent.

He added that there have been no fatalities at present.

The leisure centre, which is popular with young families, has a swimming pool, spa, squash courts and a gym.